USA rides the wave at TCA

Network to develop shows with Universal Cable

By JON WEISMAN

USA president Jeff Wachtel cited hit show 'Burn Notice' as an example of a series the network wished it owned.

Ranked No. 1 in cable for 12 consecutive quarters, USA will try to build on its momentum in its 2010 development slate with a slew of series from year-old sister company Universal Cable Prods.

Meanwhile, fellow Universal cabler Syfy announced that it is reteaming with Bryan Singer ("Superman Returns") on a six-hour limited series.

Jeff Wachtel, president of USA original programming and Universal Cable Prods. co-head of original content, said USA's goal is to have "one or two" projects graduate to series next year, adding that others in this slate could be pursued in 2011. Wachtel cited current USA hit "Burn Notice" as an example of a series the network wished it owned but couldn't turn down nevertheless.

"You can't close off the opportunity that great shows will come from outside," Wachtel told Daily Variety, "but, of course, there's pressure to own one's intellectual property."

TV vets Stephen J. Cannell and Tom Fontana are each exec producing projects for USA. Fontana and Adam Bernstein ("30 Rock") are teaming on "Hotel Dix," about an old school hotel detective, while Cannell is joining with Scott Kaufer ("Boston Legal") in shepherding an untitled project about an ex-con car mechanic gone undercover.

In addition, Mike Newell ("Four Weddings and a Funeral") is an exec producer on "Rock Doc," in which a celebrity rocker abandons the life for med school. Laverne McKinnon and Mary Martin will also exec produce.

With USA mainstay "Monk" heading into its final season, producer alums David Breckman and Randy Zisk are developing "Gourmet Detective," whose lead character will globetrot in pursuit of mysteries both homicidal and culinary.

Also in development for USA are two legal-themed series: "Facing Kate," with Michael Sardo ("The American Embassy") and Steve Stark ("Medium") as executive producers, and "Louise Candell," about an attorney who becomes YouTube-famous for embarrassing reasons, with Matthew Lieberman ("Judging Amy") and John Wirth ("Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles") as executive producers.

Two other projects offer odd-couple pairings. "Good Cop, Bad Cop" is a brother-sister team-up from John Quaintance ("Notes From the Underbelly"), while in "Busy Bodies," suburban mysteries are explored by a soccer mom and gay stay-at-home dad. Playwright Billy Finnegan scripted the pilot, with Jimmy Miller ("Step Brothers") exec producing.

Finally, "Crash Dummies" is a co-production with Reveille starring John Schneider in the story of a veteran Hollywood stuntman's work and son, with Matt Pyken ("Knight Rider") exec producing.

USA also announced that Tim Matheson will direct the pilot of its already greenlit light-actioner, "Covert Affairs."

On the Syfy front, Singer, Andrew Deane ("Masters of Horror") and Keith Addis are developing the untitled miniseries, a "Da Vinci Code"-like weaving of history and myth surrounding doomsday prophecies from the Mayan calendar.

"I have always been fascinated by the various myths and conspiracy theories surrounding the Mayan calendar," Singer said. "Our story will explore whether we are truly alone in the universe, and other related mysteries, all of which are set against the backdrop of an incredibly exciting and fast-paced adventure."

Michael Petroni ("Chronicles of Narnia: The Dawn Treader") and Michael Bond are scripting.

Syfy also gave a go to "Alphas," a 90-minute pilot about unconventional superheroes, from Berman Braun, with writer Zak Penn ("X-Men") attached.